Local News
Austin Smith holds a ceremonial check at Washington State Lottery headquarters in Olympia on Thursday. Washington State Lottery / Handout
A 28-year-old Seattle resident says he still can't believe his luck after claiming a $5 million jackpot — on the very first lottery ticket he ever purchased. "I have a buddy who plays every single week and has never won a thing," Smith told reporters. "I really wasn't expecting much."
By Rachel Nguyen | March 7, 2026
Today's Headlines
Local
The long-anticipated Ballard link will miss its target date by at least 18 months, adding roughly $1.2 billion to the project's budget. Community groups say construction disruptions have already harmed local businesses.
Marcus Webb | March 7, 2026
Sports
Seattle has made a competitive offer to edge rusher Jaylon Harris, who had 13.5 sacks last season in Jacksonville. The deal could be worth five years and $110 million, but the Hawks face competition from Las Vegas and Miami.
Derek Callahan | March 6, 2026
Tech
AWS will add engineering and operations roles over the next year as demand for cloud infrastructure and AI services continues to surge. Bellevue's mayor called the expansion "a vote of confidence" in the Eastside.
Priya Chakrabarti | March 7, 2026
Local
A 6–3 vote clears the way for duplexes and triplexes in areas previously restricted to single-family homes. Supporters say the reform is essential to addressing housing affordability; opponents packed the council chambers in protest.
Elaine Forsyth | March 6, 2026
Business
Visit Seattle projects a 14 percent jump in downtown visitors between March and June, driven by a booming cruise season and new international flights. The market's management is expanding Saturday hours to handle the crowds.
Rachel Nguyen | March 5, 2026